Refrigerating ttnit



July 5, 1927. 1,635,058

"r. l. POTTER REFRIGERATI NG UNIT Filed Nov. 10, 1926 2 Sheds-Sheet 1 NL/E-NTU fla mw/ 5, B

fiTTURA/E July 5, 1927.

T. l. POTTER REERIGERATING UNIT Filed Nov. 1o, 1926 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 5, 1927. r r I THOMAS I. POTTER, OF ZORTLAN'D, OREGON.

Application filed November 10, 1926.

This invention. relates generally to the art of mechanical refrigeration and applies equally well to large and small installations.

The main object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple and efficient refrigerating machine employing the com- 'pressi on principle and using a volatile liquid as a refrigerant.

' The second object is to construct a special type of compressor unit in which an oscillating cylinder is employed, which cylinder is held to its seat by the combined action of a spring and pressure within the compressor case.

The third object is to provide an elevated reservoir to form a lubricant seal over the usual packing to insure agas tight fit at the point where the power shaft enters the compressor case without the necessity of having an undesirably high oil level in the compressor case.

The fourth object is to employ the accumulater or receiver as a separator for the refrigerant and the lubricant and connect the lubricant in the accumulator with the lubricant in the compressor, thereby preventing any excess accumulation of lubricant in the accumulator, or lack of lubricant in the compressor.

The fifth object is to utilize the well known tendency of refrigerants and lubrlcants of diflerent specific gravities to separate as a means for returning to the compressor case any lubricant which may have been carried over with the refrigerant passing through the compressor.

The sixth object is to provide an im* proved form of expansion chamber in which the usual coils are dispensed with, thereby effecting a considerable saving in space, which is an important item in small units.

The seventh object is to so arrange the ports of the compressor as to avoid possible knocks due to trapped liquids, or loss of efficiency due to trapped gases being compressed instead of expelled.

These objects are accomplished in the manner set forthin the following specification as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. l is a somewhat diagrammatic section taken through the assembled elements of the machine. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken along the line 22 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse REFRIGERATING nnrr.

Serial No. 147,534. 7

section through the compressor taken along the line l4: in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the cylinder of the compressor taken along the line 55 in Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a horizontal. section through the manifold taken along the line 6 6 in Fig. 4 and showing the relation of the manifold passages and. cylinder ports during one position of the cycle, and Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the relation of thesame parts in the extreme opposite position of the cycle. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the cylinders. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section showing the relation of the cylinder ports and compressor ports when the eccentrics are on the dead center for a cylinder at full compression.

Similar numbers of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring in detail to the drawings, there is illustrated a refrigerator 10 including a special type of expansion chamber 11 whose lower outlet pipe 12 connects with the intake side of the compressor 13 from which the compressor discharge pipe 14 extends to the condensing coil 15 which, in this instance, is

air-cooled by the fan 16 on the shaft of the motor 17. i

The belt 18 from the motor 17 drives the compressor shaft 19, which passes through the gland 20 of the compressor 13, and journals in the bearings 21 and 22 within the compressor case. Above the bearings 21 and 22 are formed the oil pockets 21 and 22 to insure proper lubrication of the bearings,

and in the case of bearing 22 to provide an oil seal against the packing 24 to prevent the escape of gaseous refrigerant through the packing. Since it is not diflicult to hold a lubricant it can be seen that the usual loss of refrigerant is thus eliminated.

On the shaft 19 between the bearings 21 and 22 are secured the two eccentrics 25 and 26 which drive the pistons 27 and 28 of the cylinders 29 and 30. Each of the cylinders .29 and 30 has formed thereon a cylindrical trunnion 31 through which passes a ort 32. Oil grooves 33 are also provided in tie sides of the member 31 whose side portions 31 are cut away to reduce friction.

' The member 31 can oscillate within the cylindrical head 34 of the compressor in which are formed the enlarged ports 35, 36, 37 and 38. An intake passage 39 which joins the ports 35 and 37 of the pipe 12, and a discharge passage 40 which joins the ports pressor adapted to permit lubricant from said condenser to gravitate to said crank case; and a second connection between the compressor case and the condenser above their liquid levels.

l. The combination of a compressor hav- .ing a case around its actuating mechanism suitable for withstanding several atn'lospheres of pressure; a condenser unit or low specific gravity refrigerant and "for higher specific gravity lubricant having its lower end connected to the compressor case; and having a pressure balancing pipe between the case of said compressor above its oil line and connecting with the condensing unit at a point above its highest liquid level.

SPA refrigerating unit having, in combination, an accumulator; a condenser discharging into said accumulator; an expansion system; a compressor between said expansion system and said condenser; an expansion valve between said expansion system and said accumulator; means for balancing the pressures in the case of said compressor and said accumulator; and an oil passage from said accumulator to the case of said compressor.

6. In a refrigerating unit, the combina tion of an accumulating tank; a condensing coil discharging into said tank; an expan; sion system; a compressor drawing heated refrigerant from said expansion system and forcing same through said condenser; an oilcarrying duct connecting the bottom of the compressor case with the bottom of the accumulator discharging into the compressor case; an expansion valve for admitting refrigerant from said accumulator to said expansion chamber; and a pressure balancing pipe between said compressor case and the z'iccumulator.

7. A refrigerating unit having, in combination, an accumulator and an expansion chamber with a condensing coil between one end of said expansion chamber and the top ot said zu'cuniulalor; a compressor adapted to draw warm refrigerant from said expansion chamber and force same through said coil under increased pressure, said. pressure being maintained within the accu1nulater and within the e: se of said compressor; said compressor and said accumulator having an oil pipe connectingtheir lower ends; a pressure balz'incing pipe between the case of said con'uiressor and the accumulator; and a mechanically operated valve A 'l to relmse qrmntities of liquid rett'iigcrant from said accumulator into said ernnansion chamber in an intcrn'iittcnt and adjustable flow.

8. In. a refrigerating machine the combination of a compressor; a condensing unit for containing a refrigerant and a lubricant; an expansion unit; a connection from the oil level of the condensing unit to the oil level of the crank case of the compressor unit adapted to permit lubricant from said condenser to gravitate to said crank case with a further connection from the crank case to the condensing unit at a higher or gas level.

THOMAS I. POTTER. 

